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About this project

Thanks for checking out our Kickstarter project! Watch the video, become a backer, and spread the word! Please leave feedback or questions in the Kickstarter comments section or on Facebook, Twitter or cinetics.com.

What is Axis360?

Axis360 is a motion control system that rotates and slides a camera. Axis360 is compact and light weight, sets up easily, and is extremely versatile. It moves at a wide range of speeds, fluidly or incrementally, and works with most DSLR, mirrorless, and cinema cameras. Axis360 is available in a variety of combinations to suit your needs.

The Axis360 components are designed to work together in a variety of setups.

Ballhead - a super efficient, adjustable camera mount. It has two strong quick connect points and 1/4"-20 threads on both ends.

Tripod - a compact, strong, and light weight camera stand. Each leg has six adjustable positions and threaded rubber feet for fine tuning. A 1/4"-20 thread attaches to a camera, ballhead or motor.

Tilt Kit - a set of L shaped brackets, a plate and quick release clamps that enable Axis360 to pan, tilt, and slide a camera with perfect balance.

Axis360 - a digital stepper motor that makes strong and precise moves. It can be configured to pan a camera, tilt when used with the tilt kit and slide when used with the slider. Axis360 can move any camera weighing less than 5 kg (11 lb) with a standard 1/4"-20 mounting thread.

Controller - a compact motor controller. It controls super slow moves while firing synchronized timelapse photos and quick moves for video. The controller works with most video cameras and can sync moves and timelapse photos on most Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras with included cables (Canon N3, Canon E3, and Nikon DC0). Cables are available optionally for less common cameras (See available camera cables HERE). Many cameras support timelapse photography with a built-in timer (intervalometer) and do not require a camera cable.

A controller is required for each axis of motion control that you want to drive simultaneously. The controllers can be controlled individually or daisy chained together with a standard 3.5mm stereo cable for synchronized control. Controllers built for this project will have CineMoco software version 2.0. Instructions to update to the latest CineMoco software can be found HERE. CineMoco owners can choose to receive additional controllers in Axis360 Rewards to enable multi-axis and stand alone use, or contact us to customize a reward without a controller.

Slider - an ultra smooth rail track and cart system. The cart rolls on eight urethane coated bearings and has adjustable drag. The aluminum rails break down into 16 inch segments. Outrigger legs enable setup on any terrain, and a center 3/8-16" tripod mount allows height versatility. The slider moves smoothly by hand, or with a kevlar belt and pulley system that enables the Axis360 motor to drive the slider.

Slider Extension - add one to extend the total slider length to 64 inches or two for a 96 inch slider! Each extension comes with two rail braces, four 16 inch aluminum rail sections, a timing belt, and camera trigger and motor sync cable extensions.

How is Axis360 Built?

Each Axis360 is hand built in our shop in Austin, Texas. Axis360 is built from a range of parts that we source from all over the world from specialists in processes including CNC machining, die casting, injection molding, and circuit board printing. We've prototyped and tested each part extensively, and we're excited to build the first production batch!

DVINFO - "The Axis360 system quickly started to distinguish itself as something much more than the base slider. The easy to setup and navigate controller allows for a wide variety of setups for both video and time-lapse capture."

We also put Axis360 prototypes in the hands of some incredible filmmakers and asked them to create videos and share the results.

Award-winning documentary filmmaker Griffin Hammond came and visited us at SXSW to check out Axis360. He created an excellent overview video and got some great shots using Axis360:

YouTube phenom Mitch Bergsma made a gorgeous video that shows closeups of Axis360 as he sets up the system:

And feature filmmaker Marko Slavnic did an incredible job showing setup and resulting footage with both a DSLR and a heavy RED Scarlet camera:

How does funding work?

Backers of this project will fund production of Axis360 and receive one of several available reward kits in exchange. Backers pledge to contribute their money only if we meet the funding goal. We are grateful for every $1 pledged!

Who is Cinetics?

We love fluid moving video, but not the bulky and difficult equipment that has traditionally been required to capture it. That's why we build compact and affordable gear to move your camera.

Justin Jensen founded Cinetics in 2011 by combining his passion for photography and building conceptual camera technologies, with the goal of making captivating camera movement available to anyone. Justin developed Cinetics’ first modular product, CineSkates, as a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he turned to the crowdfunding website Kickstarter to raise production funding through pre-sales. Justin has a mechanical engineering degree from The Universtity of Texas at Austin and a MBA from MIT.

Eric Pak works closely with Justin on the development and testing of Axis360 and other products. Eric, also a UT Austin trained mechanical engineer, specializes in product design and engineering. Eric is a former machinist and race car drivetrain engineer.

Augie Salmon has been on the Cinetics team since the initial CineSkates Kickstarter project. Augie and Avin Peters work together to hand build and test all Cinetics gear. They're both wicked smart electro-mechanical technicians.

Brittany Clawson and Caroline Rohwedder have teamed up to form a dynamic marketing duo. Brit runs our web store and social media, and makes rad video too. Caroline is a super skillful graphic designer with a fine arts degree from Arizona State University. She designs web pages, makes product images and shoots video.

Allison Jensen, Justin’s wife, joined Cinetics full time after the first Kickstarter campaign. As with many start-ups, her contributions range across the spectrum from accounting to shipping and communicating with customers. Allison has a marketing degree from UT Austin. We'd all fall apart without Allison and our team mascot, Greta!

Thank You

Thank you for checking out our project, and to the following people and organizations that made Axis360 possible...

Patents pending for Cinetics products. Cinetics® reserves the rights to the Axis360™ and CineMoco™ names and logos. The CineMoco software is open source!

Risks and challenges

Parts and Assembly
Axis360 is a complicated project. There are several custom parts, and it will certainly be a challenge to get them all built and assembled on schedule. But we're confident that we can do it. We've been preparing for Axis360 for a long time, we have a strong team and reliable partners, and we know that we can deliver.

Acts of God
We're based in Austin, Texas. We can never be sure that our future is clear of hurricanes, floods, or Longhorn stampedes, but we're as prepared as we can be. Whatever happens, we'll get through it together. We promise.

We're excited at the opportunity to deliver not just a quality product on time, but uniquely capable camera gear. We know there will be challenges, but we also know we can overcome them.

"Of the 49 projects I have backed, the two from Cinetics are easily two of the best, top to bottom. Great products & open and consistent communication with backers. I couldn't ask for anything more. I have to say, Kickstarter should use you guys as a model of how to run a campaign." Greg Jennings, Cinetics Kickstarter backer.

FAQ

Axis360 can move any camera weighing less than 5 kg (11 lb) with a standard 1/4"-20 mounting thread. The controller works with most video cameras and can sync moves and timelapse photos on most Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras with included cables (Canon N3, Canon E3, and Nikon DC0). Cables are available optionally for less common cameras (See available camera cables here - http://cinetics.com/camera-cable/). Many cameras support timelapse photography with a built-in timer (intervalometer) and do not require a camera cable.

The basic Slider is 32 inches long and composed of four 16 inch rail segments. The rails thread together and can be extended to any length. The Slider also includes a center tripod mount and a 32 inch belt.

We plan to offer slider extensions, which will include rails, tripod mounts and belt. We are working out the details on this now and will keep everyone in the loop!

The battery runs continuously for 6 hours and can run over 24 hours in the most power efficient timelapse mode. The battery charger also acts as a power adapter, so you can power the unit constantly from it. And the 2.1mm barrel jack that the power adapter plugs into can be used to plug in additional battery. Something like this would work great: http://www.amazon.com/20000mAh-Multi-Voltage-External-Netbooks-Notebooks/dp/B00B45EOYS/

If the power switch is turned off, power comes from the power port (power adapter or external battery). If the power is on, it draws power from the power port until the voltage drops to a low level, then switches to the internal battery.

The easiest way is to set a start position, end position, and record time on each controller, then hit start on each one. The controllers also have expansion ports on them that enable you to daisy chain controllers together with 3.5mm stereo cable. We recommend setting the controllers individually and do not include daisy chain cable. But, if you need to control all the motors from one unit, or start them at precisely the same instant, you can with the appropriate cables.

If you want to do multi-axis moves, you will need another controller. Axis360 is built to be compatible with CineMoco and lots of other gear. For example, you can use the Axis360 to pan or tilt in addition to a CineMoco dolly move. The Axis360 controller is the same as the CineMoco System controller, but it has updated software version 2.0. Previous software versions can be updated to the current software. Instructions to update to the latest CineMoco software can be found here - http://cinetics.com/controller-upgrade/

You can order a custom combination of Axis360 components, for example if you do not want another controller. In that case, just choose the $1 reward level and pledge the total amount for the components you need. Here is the component pricing: Axis360 - $100 (add $15 for international shipping), Controller - $250 (add $15 for international shipping), Tripod - $35 (add $10 for international shipping), Ballhead - $10 (add $10 for international shipping), Tilt Kit - $100 (add $10 for international shipping), Slider - $300 (add $20 for international shipping), and Slider Extension - $200 (add $20 for international shipping).

The alternative is to update the controller software yourself. This is an involved process, and we recommend you send it to us so we can do it in a flash. The update requires you to connect your controller to your computer with a micro USB cable and use Arduino software to make the update. Please BE GENTLE with with micro USB port on the controller, it is fragile. Here are instructions to update your software yourself - http://cinetics.com/content/cinemoco-software-update-instructions.pdf

Pledge $495 or more

Axis360 Plus • Motorized pan or tilt. Includes all components of the Axis360 Basic reward above plus a tilt kit. Choose a reward below to add slider or multi-axis motion. Expected retail price is $550. International customs charges may be collected on delivery. Thank you!

Estimated delivery:May 2014

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $695 or more

100 backers
All gone!

EARLY BIRD Axis360 Pro • Help us get started and get one of the very first Axis360 Pro kits! Expected retail price is $900. International customs charges may be collected on delivery. Thank you!

Estimated delivery:Apr 2014

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $795 or more

100 backers
All gone!

Axis360 Pro • Motorized pan, tilt, or slide! Includes all components of Axis360 Plus reward and a slider. Choose a reward below to multi-axis motion control. Expected retail price is $900. International customs charges may be collected on delivery. Thank you!

Estimated delivery:May 2014

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $795 or more

34 backers
Limited (66 left of 100)

Axis360 Pro - June Delivery • Motorized pan, tilt, or slide! This is the same as the Axis360 Pro reward above, but will be shipped in June. Choose a reward below for two or three axis motion control. Expected retail price is $900. International customs charges may be collected on delivery. Thank you!

Estimated delivery:Jun 2014

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $1,145 or more

73 backers
Limited (27 left of 100)

Two Axis360 • Two axis motorized pan, tilt and/or slide. Includes all components of Axis360 Pro reward above and an additional Axis360 motor and controller. Choose the Three Axis360 reward below to add simultaneous three axis motion. Expected retail price is $1,300. International customs charges may be collected on delivery. Thank you!

Estimated delivery:May 2014

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $1,495 or more

100 backers
All gone!

Three Axis360 • Three axis motorized pan, tilt and slide. Includes all components of Two Axis360 reward above and an additional Axis360 motor and controller. Expected retail price is $1,700. International customs charges may be collected on delivery. Thank you!

Estimated delivery:May 2014

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $1,495 or more

100 backers
All gone!

Three Axis360 - June Delivery • Three axis motorized pan, tilt and slide. This is the same kit as the Three Axis360 reward above, but will be shipped in June. Expected retail price is $1,700. International customs charges may be collected on delivery. Thank you!

Estimated delivery:Jun 2014

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $1,495 or more

5 backers

Three Axis360 - July Delivery • Three axis motorized pan, tilt and slide. This is the same kit as the Three Axis360 reward above, but will be shipped in July. Expected retail price is $1,700. International customs charges may be collected on delivery. Thank you!

Estimated delivery:Jul 2014

Ships anywhere in the world

Funding period

Feb 25, 2014 - Apr 26, 2014
(59 days)

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